Clothing Protector

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing clothing protection are discussed herein. A clothing protector comprises a pad and an adhesive surface. The pad is configured to provide a layer between an outer clothing and skin. The pad extends below an upper edge of a diaper. The adhesive surface is coupled to the pad, wherein the adhesive surface is configured to attach to an inside of the outer clothing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to commonly assigned copending Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/011,330, titled “BABY CLOTHING PROTECTOR,” by Pearl P. Lee, Docket No. LEE-001.PRO, filed Jan. 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate in general to the field of protective clothing.

BACKGROUND

Diapers may leak excrement and soil outer clothing. What is needed is a way to prevent soiling an outer clothing.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for providing clothing protection are discussed herein. A clothing protector comprises a pad and an adhesive surface. The pad is configured to provide a layer between an outer clothing and skin. The pad extends below an upper edge of a diaper. The adhesive surface is coupled to the pad, wherein the adhesive surface is configured to attach to an inside of the outer clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presented technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the presented technology:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a clothing protector upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for protecting clothing, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an application of a clothing protector applied to clothing upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 4 illustrates an application of a clothing protector applied to clothing wherein the clothing protector contacts skin upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention will be described in conjunction with the various embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following description of various embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a clothing protector is discussed. The clothing protector comprises a pad and an adhesive surface. The pad is configured to provide a surface for contact with skin. The adhesive surface is configured to attach to an inside of clothing.

A clothing protector comprising a pad and an adhesive surface. The pad is configured to provide a layer between an outer clothing and skin. The adhesive surface is coupled to the pad and is configured to attach to an inside of the outer clothing.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a clothing protector 100 and a clothing protector 130 upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The clothing protector 100 comprises a pad 110 and an adhesive surface 120, represented by the dashed line. The clothing protector 100 is nearly flat. The pad 110 is configured to provide comfort, and to absorb and/or control the spread of excrement. The adhesive surface 120 is configured to adhere to the inside of clothing.

In one embodiment, the adhesive surface 120 may be uniform along the pad 110. In other embodiments, the adhesive surface 120 is near an outer region of the pad, as illustrated by the hashed region as shown in FIG. 1B. In various embodiments, the adhesive surface 120 is configured to provide an adhesion to the clothing, comfort, a protective layer, and/or convenience.

The thickness of the clothing protector 100 may range from one hundredth of an inch to a quarter inch. The width and height of the clothing protector 100 may range from one inch to 20 inches.

In some embodiments, the padded surface is configured to have a non-irritation surface, such as a cotton feel. In other embodiments, the padded surface a soft, hypoallergenic, quilted, and/or absorbent material.

In some embodiments, the adhesive surface comprises a moisture-proof and/or moisture resistant lining, with an adhesive backing.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 has rounded corners. This may curtail the inadvertent removal of the clothing protector 100. Other shapes are available that may depend of the size, shape, and/or actions of the baby, to provide protection.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 has one or more sides that are concave and/or convex, as discussed in FIG. 1B and herein.

The clothing protector 130 of FIG. 1B is similar to the clothing protector 100 of FIG. 1A. In one embodiment, a difference between the clothing protectors is a shape and/or size of an edge. For example, the clothing protector 130 may have a convex upper portion, such as that illustrated by edge 140. The clothing protector 130 may have convex sides, such as that illustrated by edge 150. In one embodiment, the clothing protector 130 has extended regions to provide protection in leg region, such as that illustrated by region 160. In another embodiment, the clothing protector 130 has a convex edge to conform to outer clothing, such as that illustrated by edge 170.

In one embodiment, the adhesive surface 120 is configured to allow the removal of the clothing protector 100 without damaging the clothing. In another embodiment, the adhesive surface 120 comprises an adhesive configured to allow multiple applications.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 may be manufactured to be environmentally friendly. Such materials may be biodegradable, recyclable, and/or reusable.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 comprises a removable plastic cover configured to protect the adhesive. The plastic cover may be reused, optionally, to store the clothing protector 100.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 is designed to withstand washing and/or may be washed and reused.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 comprises three layers, a top layer of soft, hypoallergenic, quilted, and/or absorbent material, a middle layer of moisture-proof lining, with an adhesive backing that can be attached to clothing and removed without residue, a bottom layer that is removed upon an application.

In one embodiment, the clothing worn by a person is a onesie. A onesie is an article of clothing usually covering the most of a body. In various embodiments, a head, hands, and/or feet are exposed. In some embodiments, a onesie is a bodysuit for infants designed to cover a diaper when worn. A onesie may also be a creeper, diaper shirt or snapsuit, or any other bodysuit worn by an infant, teenager, adult, and/or senior.

In another embodiment, the clothing worn by a person extends from a lower back area to a crotch area. In another embodiment, the clothing worn may be separable in a waist region, whereby the clothing protector 100 attaches to two or pieces of clothing, thereby supplying a protective region.

In one embodiment, the clothing protector 100 may be rotated to better address a troubled area. For example, if a particular baby wearing a particular diaper tends to have leaking up the back and no where else, the clothing protector may be positioned vertically to cover an expected area of leakage.

Some advantages of the clothing protector 100 are to prevent excrement stains on clothes from diaper overflow and/or uncontrolled bowel movement. This may save time and effort due to changing the baby's clothing. This may also extend the useful life of the clothing.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for protecting clothing, in accordance with embodiments. In step 210, the clothing protector 100 is adhered inside of clothing. The adhesion may be prior to wearing the clothing and/or after wearing some or all of the clothing. In various embodiments, a longer side of the clothing protector 100 may be vertical or horizontal depending on the size of the baby, the area to be protected, and/or the dimensions of the clothing. For example, with a larger baby, the clothing protector 100 may be more effective with the longer side horizontal to the upright baby.

In some embodiments, the clothing protector 100 is positioned with a bottom of the clothing protector 100 slightly below a back edge of a baby diaper. This may provide a barrier to extend up a back of the clothing. Positioning of the clothing protector 100 is further discussed with regard to FIG. 4 and herein.

In some embodiments, upon the application of the clothing protector 100, a baby's legs may be lifted and while wearing the clothing the clothing protector 100 is adhered. This may provide for better positioning of the clothing protector 100.

In other embodiments, the clothing protector 100 may be firmly pressed against the clothing to ensure proper contact and/or ensure proper positioning.

In further embodiments, if the position of the clothing protector 100 results in a gap between a diaper edge and the clothing protector 100 where clothing may be at a potential risk of exposure, the clothing protector 100 may be repositioned for better results.

In one embodiment, the adhesion comprises positioning a bottom of the pad below a bottom edge of a diaper. In another embodiment, the adhesion comprises positioning a top of the pad above a top edge of a diaper.

In step 220, the person is dressed; thereby the clothing protector 100 is worn. In one embodiment, the person is a baby, thereby an adult with typically help with dressing the baby. In other embodiments, an adult may apply the clothing protector 100 to his or her own clothing.

Is some embodiments, the protective may be removed without undressing the baby. Removal may be performed by lifting legs of the legs for easier access.

In step 230, the clothing protector 100 is determined to be soiled or not. The determination of being soiled may be indicated by the color of excrement on the pad. Upon a position determination of the clothing protector being soiled, a user may discard the clothing protector, remove the clothing protector, and/or clean and reuse the clothing protector.

In step 240, if the clothing protector 100 is not soiled, a user may maintain the clothing protector 100. In one embodiment, maintaining the clothing protector 100 is to keep the clothing protector on the clothing. In another embodiment, maintaining the clothing protector 100 is to store the clothing protector. In yet another embodiment, maintaining the clothing protector 100 is to transfer the clothing protector to different clothing. In one embodiment, a user may wash and/or prepare the pad and/or adhesive layer for reuse. In another embodiment, a user may store the clothing protector after use. In various embodiments, original packaging may be used to protect the adhesive surface 120, for later use and/or reuse.

FIG. 3 illustrates an application 300 of a clothing protector 100 applied to clothing upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The application 300 comprises clothing 310 and the clothing protector 100. The clothing 310 may be worn by an infant, teenager, adult, senior, or any other person. In one embodiment, the clothing 310 is a onesie.

In one embodiment, the clothing protector 100 extends near a full length of a back. In another embodiment, the clothing protector 100 extends in an area of the lower vertebrae (not depicted). The clothing protector 100 may have a convex upper edge, such as edge 320. The clothing protector 100 may extend below a waist list, as indicated by line 330 to cover an area indicated by region 340. This may provide protection under the top edge of a diaper (not depicted).

FIG. 4 illustrates an application 400 of a clothing protector 100 applied to clothing wherein the clothing protector contacts skin upon which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The application 400 comprises clothing 310, the clothing protector 100, a person 410, and a diaper 420. The person may be an infant or an adult, or any other person who may wear a diaper. The diaper 420 comprises an upper edge 430 and a lower edge 440. The arrow 450 indicated a direction of the person 410 dressing the clothing 310. The clothing protector 100 is applied to the person as indicated by the dashed lines. After the clothing 310 is worn, the clothing protector 100 provides a barrier between the clothing 310 and skin of the person 410. In one embodiment, the clothing protector 100 touches skin of the person 410. In another embodiment, the person wears other clothing (not depicted) to avoid direct contact with the clothing protector 100.

In one embodiment, the clothing protector 100 extends below the upper edge 430 of the diaper 420, as indicated by region 460. In another embodiment, the clothing protector 100 extends below the lower edge 440 of the diaper 420 (not depicted), as indicated by region 470.

Various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may also be used. For example, the pad may be multi-layered. In another example, the clothing protector may be used by adults. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

While the invention is described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A clothing protector comprising: a pad configured to provide a layer between an outer clothing and skin, wherein the pad extends below an upper edge of a diaper; and an adhesive surface coupled to the pad, wherein the adhesive surface is configured to attach to an inside of the outer clothing.
 2. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad is further configured to absorb excrement.
 3. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad is further configured to minimize the spread of excrement.
 4. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad is configured to have a non-irritation surface.
 5. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad has rounded corners.
 6. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface is further configured be removed without damaging the clothing.
 7. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface comprises an adhesive configured to allow multiple applications.
 8. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface further comprises a moisture-resistance lining.
 9. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the adhesive surface further comprises a moisture-proof lining.
 10. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad is configured to be in contact with skin and a diaper.
 11. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the pad is configured to be in contact with skin and a diaper.
 12. The clothing protector of claim 1, wherein the outer clothing is a onesie.
 13. A clothing protector comprising: a pad comprising a convex upper edge, wherein the pad is configured to provide a layer between an outer clothing and skin, wherein the pad extends above a diaper; and an adhesive surface coupled to the pad, wherein the adhesive surface is configured to attach to an inside of the outer clothing.
 14. The clothing protector of claim 13, wherein the pad comprises rounded corners.
 15. The clothing protector of claim 13, wherein the adhesive surface further comprises a moisture-resistance lining.
 16. The clothing protector of claim 13, wherein the outer clothing is a onesie.
 17. A method comprising: adhering a clothing protector to a region of an inside of clothing; placing the clothing on a person; and determining if the clothing protector is soiled.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning a top of the pad above a top edge of a diaper.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising maintaining the pad if the protective pad is not soiled.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising storing the pad prior to reusing the pad. 